Oregon Coast Aquarium Spreads Holiday Cheer Above and Under the Sea

Newport, Oregon—A celebration of the holiday season will be on show at the Oregon Coast Aquarium for Sea of Lights starting Friday, December 6, and then on every Saturday and Sunday in December.

The Aquarium will immerse visitors with holiday cheer amidst the festive glow of the largest holiday lights display on Oregon’s central coast and pictures with Santa. Under the sea, Submerged Santa will read holiday stories while floating among fishes in the Aquarium’s Coastal Waters Gallery.

Thanks to Walmart’s presenting sponsorship, this year’s Sea of Lights features more lights than ever before.

The event kicks off with live holiday music and an opportunity to meet Santa in his workshop on December 6 and 7 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $2 with two items of non-perishable food for Food Share of Lincoln County. Guests may also bring pet food for the Lincoln County Animal Shelter or a new unwrapped children's toy for the Newport Fire Department’s Holiday Toy Drive in place of a food donation. Entry for those without food or toy donations is $5.00. Admission is free to members, but they are encouraged to bring an item to donate.

Sea of Lights will illuminate the Aquarium until 8:00 p.m. beginning Sunday, December 8th and continuing every Saturday and Sunday in December. Admission to this show of sparkling holiday cheer, including photo opportunities with Santa, is $8.00 after 5:00 p.m. Admission to Sea of Lights is free for Aquarium members.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is open every day, except December 25, this winter from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information visit aquarium.org or call (541) 867-3474.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is dedicated to the highest quality aquatic and marine science programs for recreation and education so that the public better understands, cherishes, and conserves the world’s natural marine and coastal resources. An accredited Association of Zoos & Aquariums institution, this 501(c)3 non-profit organization is ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. Visit us at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. www.aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium, or Twitter.com/OrCoastAquarium for the latest updates.

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Note to the media: Photos included with release. Addition photos available at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hwpcsz7vx4wn67n/cAT3vFbhWJ.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Newport, on the beautiful Oregon Coast. Our mission is to inspire the public to better understand, cherish and conserve marine and coastal ecosystems.